May 12/10 8:07 am - U.S. Pursuiter Smashes World Record

Posted by Editor on 05/12/10

American Sarah Hammer set an unofficial new world record in the three-kilometer individual pursuit during the qualifying round of the women’s event at the Pan American Cycling Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico on May 11th. Her time of 3:22.269 is more than two seconds faster than the previous record of 3:24.537, set by New Zealand's Sarah Ulmer at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Official word on the status of the record is pending from the UCI but, as a continental championship run under UCI rules, confirmation is expected. Upon confirmation, the reigning world champion will hold one of only 18 cycling elite world records.

Hammer went on to win the evening's gold medal final, catching Maria Luisa Calle of Columbia in five laps. Hammer’s gold marks the sixth medal and third gold for the USA Cycling squad at the Pan American Continental Championships.